August was a triple blessing for me, having attended the Hope Euro Convention in Prague and the North America Annual Camp in Seattle. I also combined my NA trip with visiting my relatives in Vancouver.
It was a good opportunity to visit my Dad in Vancouver, who, by God's grace, is still very active. Together with my family members, we celebrated his 96 year birthday (see attached pic). May be I still have quite a few more years left to serve the Lord, if He did not come back before I went home. :o)
The NAAC was held in a beautiful camp site on the outskirt of Seattle. It was great to meet up with all the pastors from NA & Canada churches, encouraged by their determination and zeal in planting churches in that part of the world. We also had fellowship with the HGI Elders and quite a few international pastors. I also had the opportunity to lead a team of young people, taking part in a very creative Experiential Learning Programme. We had 2 days to work together as a team, coming up with a team name, a team slogan and a team act. On the final day, we also competed against 7 other teams in 4 game stations. I was utterly amazed by the talents and teamwork we had, winning all the games! Herewith a few pics to show the Anointed Warriors (our team name). Judy, Simon, Hai Eng, Orn, Praew, Kang, Alex, Derek, Tom, Rachel, Rebecca, Brian, Sek - you guys are awesome :o).
After the camp, Kim & I shared a car with Ps. James & Christine, driving back to Vancouver. We had the privilege of spending a day of their 1st Anniversary celebration, eating & sight-seeing together in Vancourver. It was good to see two long-time friends genuinelly loving and caring for one another!
I thank the Lord for bringing me into the Hope family 14 years ago. I have since met so many wonderful people committing their lives in following Jesus and doing His will. I think this is probably as close as one gets to carrying His cross!
When we have the heart-felt thanks for what the Lord has done, we can comprehend what the psalmist says. "When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy........The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy......Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him [Ps 126:1-6 NIV]." Keep going brothers and sisters. We may be sowing in tears now, but the big celebration awaits us at the end!
We should have Jacob's mindset of not wanting to be buried in Eygpt. "Now the Israelites settled in Egypt in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and were fruitful and increased greatly in number. Jacob lived in Egypt seventeen years, and the years of his life were a hundred and forty-seven. When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, "If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt.......[Gen 47:27-31 NIV]." We may be living in spiritual Eygpt. We may even have earthly riches and property. Our heart should not be in it!
Jesus has warned us that ".......a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.......[John 16:1-4 NIV]." The time is already with us. Be strong & courageous. Put on our seat belt and ride the wave of persecution, which will only get worse towards the end!
All earthly possessions are temporal, "for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations [Prov 27:23-27 NIV]." Lets embrace things that are eternal and pour our all into them!
It was a good opportunity to visit my Dad in Vancouver, who, by God's grace, is still very active. Together with my family members, we celebrated his 96 year birthday (see attached pic). May be I still have quite a few more years left to serve the Lord, if He did not come back before I went home. :o)
The NAAC was held in a beautiful camp site on the outskirt of Seattle. It was great to meet up with all the pastors from NA & Canada churches, encouraged by their determination and zeal in planting churches in that part of the world. We also had fellowship with the HGI Elders and quite a few international pastors. I also had the opportunity to lead a team of young people, taking part in a very creative Experiential Learning Programme. We had 2 days to work together as a team, coming up with a team name, a team slogan and a team act. On the final day, we also competed against 7 other teams in 4 game stations. I was utterly amazed by the talents and teamwork we had, winning all the games! Herewith a few pics to show the Anointed Warriors (our team name). Judy, Simon, Hai Eng, Orn, Praew, Kang, Alex, Derek, Tom, Rachel, Rebecca, Brian, Sek - you guys are awesome :o).
After the camp, Kim & I shared a car with Ps. James & Christine, driving back to Vancouver. We had the privilege of spending a day of their 1st Anniversary celebration, eating & sight-seeing together in Vancourver. It was good to see two long-time friends genuinelly loving and caring for one another!
I thank the Lord for bringing me into the Hope family 14 years ago. I have since met so many wonderful people committing their lives in following Jesus and doing His will. I think this is probably as close as one gets to carrying His cross!
When we have the heart-felt thanks for what the Lord has done, we can comprehend what the psalmist says. "When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy........The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy......Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him [Ps 126:1-6 NIV]." Keep going brothers and sisters. We may be sowing in tears now, but the big celebration awaits us at the end!
We should have Jacob's mindset of not wanting to be buried in Eygpt. "Now the Israelites settled in Egypt in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and were fruitful and increased greatly in number. Jacob lived in Egypt seventeen years, and the years of his life were a hundred and forty-seven. When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called for his son Joseph and said to him, "If I have found favor in your eyes, put your hand under my thigh and promise that you will show me kindness and faithfulness. Do not bury me in Egypt.......[Gen 47:27-31 NIV]." We may be living in spiritual Eygpt. We may even have earthly riches and property. Our heart should not be in it!
Jesus has warned us that ".......a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.......[John 16:1-4 NIV]." The time is already with us. Be strong & courageous. Put on our seat belt and ride the wave of persecution, which will only get worse towards the end!
All earthly possessions are temporal, "for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations [Prov 27:23-27 NIV]." Lets embrace things that are eternal and pour our all into them!
No comments:
Post a Comment